Chemical in sunscreen linked to birth defects

Recently Hawaii and Key West have banned the sale and use of sunscreens containing oxybenzone beause of the harm they cause to both human and marine health. 

Haereticus Environmental Laboratory in Virginia, a leading force in the research into chemical sunscreens’ toxicity have published research in the journal Reproductive Toxicology linking oxybenzone exposure and the formation of birth defects during the first trimester.  Specifically a defect called Hirschsprung’s Disease, a birth defect in which nerve cells are missing at the end of a child’s bowel.  According to Kids Health Organisation ‘Children with Hirschsprung Disease aren’t able to pass a bowel movement, or do so with difficulty and treatment almost always requires surgery.’

Researcher Craig Downs said that oxybenzone is a risk even when not applied directly, “Oxybenzone that is contaminating swimming pools and beaches can be absorbed directly into the skin of pregnant women and children, increasing their exposure to oxybenzone and the risk associated with that exposure.”  

NOTE:  ‘Haereticus Environmental Laboratory is a non profit scientific organisation dedicated to increasing the scientific, social and economic knowledge of natural environmental habitats in order to better conserve and restore threatened environmental habitats and resources.’